Speed-regulator.



PATENTED AUG. 13, 1907. J. STURGESS.

SPEED REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.10, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 863,235. PATENTED AUG. 13, 1907.

' J. STURGESS..

SPEED REGULATOR. APPLICATION r321) nno.1o,1aoe.

3 SHEETS-8H 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 863,235. PATENTED AUG. 13, 1907. J. STURGESS. SPEED REGULATOR,- APPLIUATIOH mum DEO.10, 1906.

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\A/ITNEEEEE 4 7 W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN STURGESS, OF TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO STURGESS GOVERNOR ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF TROY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SPEED-REGULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 13, 1907.

Application filed December 10. 190i). Serial No. 347,009.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN Srunonss, a subject of the King of Great Britain,.residing at Troy, county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speed-Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to such improvements and consists of the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, and the reference characters marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar characters refer to similar parts in the several figures therein.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a view in elevation of my improved speed-regulator. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the primary motor and valve construction, with the cap of the primary cylinder and attachments thereo removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken hrough the valvecase of the primary motor on the broken line 33 in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a vertical, radial section of the primary motor and its controlling inletvalves taken on the broken line 4-4 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar radial section showing the outlet-valves. Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the left-hand side of the primary motor and its valve-operating mechanism, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Figs. 7 and 8 are views showing cross-sections of the shaft through which is accomplished a compensating movement of the lever which operates the main valve of the apparatus, showing compensating weighted-arms mounted on said shaft.

This invention relates more particularly to speedregulating mechanism adapted to automatically maintain and control the speed of a fluid-actuated prime mover at a uniform rate, and prevent variations due either to load changes or power fluctuations.

The invention is applicable more particularly to that class of prime movers operated by water-power,

such as turbine, reaction and impulse-wheels, but it may be advantageously used with other prime movers, more especially when the mechanism for controlling the volume or amount of working fluid passing to the prime mover requires appreciable effort to move it.

In certain of its features the invention is applicable to various mechanisms in the operation of which it is desired to accomplish a simultaneous, proportionate movement of two members.

The principal objects of the invention, when used to control the speed of a prime mover, are to secure a more efficient and satisfactory operation of the mechanism for controlling and regulating the supply of fluid, under pressure, to the motor, whereby a gate, controlling the supply to the prime mover, is operated.

ports, 4, leading from opposite ends of the cylinder to an exhaust-chamber, 5, in a valve-case, 6, mounted upon the cylinder, said ports being controlled by the respective puppet-valves, 7 and 8, as shown in Fig. 5, which are automatically closed by the pressure within the cylinder, and are adapted to be alternately opened by rocking movements in opposite directions of the rockshaft, 9, which movements are transmitted to said valves through the respective rocker-arms, 10, and

adjusting screws, 11, on said arms adapted to engage the respective valve-stems, all as shown in Fig. 5. The cylinder, 1, is also provided, in its opposite ends, with a pair of inlet-ports, 13 and 14, each of which is adapted to communicate, through a valve-controlled passage-way, with a supply-chamber, 15, containing fluid under pressure. The inlet, 13, is thus connected by a pipe, 16, and chamber, 17, with the pressurechamber, 15, the opening, 18, between said chambers being controlled by the puppet-valve 19. In like manner the inlet, 14, is connected by a pipe, 20, and chamber, 21, with the pressure-chamber, 15, the opening, 22, between the chambers, 21 and 15, being controlled bya puppet-valve 23. These puppet-valves, 19 and 23, are held to their seats by the pressure within the pressure-chamber, and are adapted to be alternately opened byrocking movements, in opposite directions, of the rock-shaft, 9, which movements are transmitted to said valves through the respective rocker-arms, 24, and adjusting screws, 25, on said arms adapted to engage the respective valve-stems, all as shown in Fig. 4. The arms, 10 and 24, which project from the upper side of the rock-shaft, 9, are thus adapted, when the rock-shaft is rotatively moved or rocked to the right, to simultaneously open the outlet from the upper end of the cylinder, 1, and the. inlet to the lower end thereof; and, when said rock-shaft is rocked in the opposite direction, the arms, 10 and 24, which project from the lower side of said rock-shaft, are thus adapted to simultaneously open the on'tlet from the lower end of the cylinder, 1, and the imet to the upper end thereof. The rock-shaft, 9, is adapted to be operated by means of a link, 26, connected with a rocker-arm, 27, on said shaft.

Mounted parallel with the cylinder, 1, is a cylinder,

28, which, with its piston, 29, and piston-rod, 30, com- I eventually restore the speed of the machinery tonormal,

prises a fluid-motor which will be referred to herein as I the secondary motor of my improved apparatus. Fluid under pressure is alternately supplied to opposite ends of the cylinder, 28, through supply pipes, 31, under control of a pistonWalve, 32, the stem, 33, of which is connected with a lever, 34, adapted to be operated by a centrifugal governor, 35, mounted upon a shaft, 36, provided with a pulley, 37, adapted to receive a belt, not shown, whereby it is adapted to be connected with the machinery drivenby the prime mover, not shown. The centrifugal governor, 35, and the valve, 32, may be of any known forms whereby variations in the rotary speed of the centrifugal mechanism will be caused to induce the proper operation of said valve.

A floating-lever, 38, is connected at, 39, with the link, 26; at, 40, with the piston-rod, 30; and at, 4].,

indirectly with the piston-rod, 3, the latter connection being accomplished through a rod, 42, fixed upon said piston-rod, 3, and extending parallel therewith. The

rod, 42, carries on its upper end, one member of a dash pot, 43, the other member of which is connected by a rod, 44, with a lever, 45, fixed upon a rock-shaft, 46, which rock-shaft is connected through a rocker-arm, 47, and link, 48, with the valve-operating lever 34.

The operation of the apparatus as thus far described is as follows. Variations in speed of the machinery will be indicated by the centrifugal apparatus, and, whenever the machinery departs from normal speed, the centrifugal apparatus will thus cause the valve, 32, to be operated, the arrangement being such, that said valve is operated in a direction to induce the proper operation of the various mechanisms to cause such a variation in the supply of fluid in the prime mover will restore the machinery to normal speed. For example, the valve, 32, having been thus moved to admit fluid under pressure through the pipe, 3], to the upper end of the cylinder, 28, the piston and pistonrod in said cylinder will be forced downward. The point, 41, of connection between the floating-lever, 38, and the piston-rod, 3, being temporarily a fixed point, the rocker-arm, 27, will, through the link, 26, be forced downward by the downward movement of the floatinglever, 38, which is caused by the downward movement of the piston-rod, 30, as a result of which, the downwardly projecting rocker-arms, 10 and 24, on the rock-shaft, 9, will be forced inwardlyto open the inlet-valve, 19, controlling the supply to the upper end of the cylinder, 1, and the outlet-valve, 8, controlling the exhaust from the lower end thereof; whereupon, the piston, 2, and pistonrod, 3, will also be forced downward, such downward movement being utilized in the usual manner to operate Q the gate, controlling the supply of fluid to the prime mover; all of which is well understood in the art, making it unnecessary to describe the same in detail. The

floating-lever, 38, acts as a proportionating element the valve, 32, will be automatically closed by a movement ofltlie lever, 34, through thelink, 4S, rocker-arm, 47 rock-shaft, 46, rocker-arm, 45, rod, 44, dash-pot, 43. and rod, 42, the quickness of the movement causing the dash-pot, 43, to act. as a substantially rigid element. The closing of the valve, 32, is thus accomplished as soon as the gate has been moved to the position which will eventually restore the machinery to normal speed, but an appreciable time is required to overcome the inertia of the machinery and working fluid. It thus becomes necessary to provide compensating mechanism to prevent said valve from being again opened by the displacement of the centrifugal mechanism, due to gradual restoration of the machinery to normal speed. As a preferred form of such compensating mechanism, I employ in connection with the dash-pot, 43, a pair of weighted-arms, 50 and 51, loosely mounted upon the rock-shaft, 46, and projecting from opposite sides thereof, Upon the rock-shaft, 46, .is a pin or ofiset, 52, adapted, when the rock-shaft is rocked to the left, to engage the. weight-arm, 50, through a pin, 53, fixed thereon, and tolift said weight-arm away from the stop, 54, against which it normally rests. This displacement of the weight-arm, 50, occurs during the movement of the piston-rod, 3, which moves the gate to the required position and also closes the valve, 32, it being borne in mind, that during this movement the dashpot, 43, acts as a substantially rigid element. After such movement has been completed, and the valve, 32 closed, the force of the weight-arm, 50, will gradually contract the dash-pot element until the weight, 50, again engages its stop 54. This movement of contraction of the dash-pot element is accompanied by an upward movement of the rocker-arm, 45, and by a movement to the right of the rocker-arm, 47 and of the lower end 'of the lever, 34, which movement causes a movement of the valve, 32, in a direction opposite to that in which the centrifugal mechanism tends to operate said valve, as the machinery is being restored to normal speed.

When the variation in speed of the machinery is to be corrected by an upward movement of the piston-rod, 3, the compensation will be accomplished in substan tially the same manner through the weight, 51, whichis adapted, when the rock-shaft, 46, is rocked to the right, to lift the weight-arm, 51, by engagement of a pin or offset, 56, on the rock-shaft with a pin or offset, 57, on said weight-arm, 51 in the latter case the weightarm, 51, serving to expand the dash-pot element, 43, and to move the rocker-arm, 47, and lower end of the lever, 34, in the opposite direction.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an apparatus of the class described, and in combination, a primary fluid-motor; a secondary fluid-motor: puppet-valves controlling inlet and outlet ports of the pri mary motor: means for supplying, fluid under pressure to said puppet-valve-controlled inlet-port; valve-controlled means for supplying fluid under pressure to the secondary motor; puppet-valveoperating mechanism controlling the movements of said puppet-valves; and proportionating connections between said valve-operating mechanism and movable elementsof both of said motors. whereby disproportionate movement of said elements automatically aeluales said puppet-valve-operating mechanism.

L. in an apparatus of the class described, and in combination, a primary cylinder; a secondary cylinder; :1 piston and piston-rod for each of said cylinders; puppet valves controlling inlet and outletports of the primary cylinder; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said puppet-valvccontrolled inlet-port; valvecontrolled means for supplying fluid under pressure to the secondary cylinder; puppet-valve-operating mechanism controlling the movements of said puppet-valves; and proportionating connections between said puppet-valve-operating mechanism and both piston-rods, whereby disproportionate move ment of said pist0n-rods automatically actuates said puppet-valve-operating mechanism.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, and in combination. a primary cylinder; a secondary cylinder; a piston and piston-rod for each of said cylinders; valve-controlled means for supplying fluid under pressure to the secondary cylinder; centrifugal mechanism for operating said valve: puppet-valves controlling inlet and outlet ports of the primary cylinder; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said puppet-valvc-controlled inlet-port; puppetvalve operating mechanism controlling the movements of said puppet-valves; and proportionating connections between said puppet-valveoperating mechanism and both piston-rods, whereby disproportionate movement of said piston-rods automatically actuates said puppet-valveoperating mechanism.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, and in combination, a primary cylinder; a secondary cylinder; a piston and piston-rod for each of said cylinders; puppetvalves controlling inlet and outlet-ports of the primary cylinder; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said puppet-valve-controlled inlet-port; valve-controlled means for supplying fluid under pressure to the secondary cylinder; puppet-valve-operating mechanism controlling the movements of said puppet-valves; and a floating lever connecting with the respective piston-rods, and with the puppet-valve-operating mechanism.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, and in combination, a primary cylinder; a secondary cylinder; a piston and piston1'0d for each of said cylinders; four puppetsaid rock-shaft and adapted valves; two controlling inlet-ports for the opposite ends of the primary cylinder, and two controlling corresponding outlet ports therefor; means for supplying fluid under pressure to the respective puppet-valve-controlled inletports; valve-controlled means for supplying fluid under pressure to the secondary cylinder; at rock-shaft; pupp tvalve-operating members projecting from one side of said rock-shaft and adapted to correspondingly control the operation of the puppetvalves for the inlet-port to one end and the outlet-port from the other end, of said primary cylinder; members projecting from the opposite side of to correspondingly control the operation of the gate-puppet valves for the other inlet and outlet-ports of said primary cylinder; and proportionating connections between said rock'shaft and both piston-rods whereby disproportionate movement of said piston r0ds automatically actuates said rock-shaft.

G. In an apparatus of the class described and in combination, fluid-actuated gate-operating mechanism; a valve for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to said gateoperating mechanism; a centrifugal governor; valve-operating connections between said valve and governor; a rock-shaft; a rocker-arm fixed on said shaft;

connections between said rocker-arm and gate-operating mechanism comprising in part a dash-pot; connections between said valve-operating' mechanism and a rocker-arm on said rock-shaft; a pair of weighted members movably disposed on opposite sides of said rockshaft; and an offset on said rockshaft engageable with one only of said weighted members when the rock-shaft is moved in one direction, and with the other only of said weighted members when the rock-shaft is moved in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of December, 1906;

JOHN STURGESS.

Witnesses FRANK C. Cun'ris, E. M. OREILLY. 

